Asia-Pacific

Year-End Tori-no-Ichi Festival Underway in Tokyo

Published

By Devin Tsai/John Van Trieste

Open in App

The historic Tori-no-Ichi festival marking the waning of the year is on again in Tokyo. This year, some festival-goers looking for luck have politics and tensions with China on their minds. But everyday concerns—prayers for wealth and happiness in the new year—are always the big draw.

Tori-no-Ichi Festival Ushers in Change and Hope in Tokyo

 

REPORTER:  

It’s an exciting time of the year in Tokyo’s Asakusa area. Every November, the local Otori Shrine hosts its historic Tori-no-Ichi festival, a time to pray for success in the fast-approaching new year.

 

To rake in good fortune in the year ahead, worshippers here buy actual rakes decorated with symbols that reflect their hopes for the future. Some of those buying the lucky decorations this year are looking ahead to 2026 with current events in mind.

 

Japan’s just got its first female prime minister—Takaichi Sanae. She’s deeply conservative—but a change is a change. And some shoppers here hope things go smoothly.

 

there are always people who push back whenever things change, so I think it's inevitable that there's so much noise her taking office. As for what I hope for -- I'm still in my twenties, so I just want things to become easier, so that our generation and our children's generation can live well in the future.

 

But Japan’s also grappling with tensions with China.

 

Takaichi’s well-disposed towards Taiwan. Before she became prime minister, she even visited Taiwan and met with President Lai Ching-te. But China claims Taiwan, and says it will take it by force if it has to.

 

When Takaichi recently said a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response, Beijing was furious. It’s held military drills in the Yellow Sea

 

and put on economic pressure too, with bans on Japanese sea food.

 

Some people are concerned.

 

In the end, I am worried about the [Prime] minister's remarks. China has gotten really tense because of them. Creating that kind of situation... I feel like one remark really changed things. It's really difficult.

 

But this hasn’t dampened the mood for everyone. Some say they trust Takaichi to guide Japan through the spat with China.

 

I believe Prime Minister Takaichi will do what she needs to do, so I trust her, and I hope that Japan–China relations will gradually move in a better direction.

 

And as people who come to buy lucky rakes do so for money or a happy household—geopolitics takes a back seat as people mark the ebbing of one year and the approach of a fresh start in a new one.

 

Devin Tsai and John Van Trieste